Crybaby is a three piece from West Chester and their punk rock sound is enhanced by gritty yelling, delectable guitar and bass riffs and swift drum fills. Their first song “Casual” is an original that rocks just as hard as any Crybaby song. With seemingly equal influence from grunge and punk, they play quick riffs that are heavy and full, while throwing in complex guitar lines over the continuously trudging bass and drums.

Vocalist Matt Quinn’s yells are raw, yet controlled, resulting in lines like “We acknowledge there’s a problem but the problem’s never first” that beg for live crowds to sing along to. Their cover of Casual’s “Whitey Tighty” is energized and edgy. Featuring vocals from every member of the band, drummer Alex Lindquist and bassist Ed McNulty add vocals that enhance the wholeness and feel of the song.

Casual is a four piece (one ex-member of NONA) from Flemington, NJ whose pop punk sound contains honest lyrics and down to earth instrumentation that begs you to move to it. Their original song “Poison Counter” follows a straight path led by the cycling guitar riffs and witty lyrics that lead us through the vocalist’s thoughts. After contemplating his thoughts and problems, he belts “we think too much, but not enough / always ending up at we’re all fucked / you cannot change what is wrong / with words to a song”. Casual’s cover of Crybaby’s “Ex-Quarterback Material” is faster and grungier, ending in gang vocals that make the song sound much bigger.

Joseph Arthur is a musician unlike most. In addition to his songwriting, Arthur is also a well-established visual artist, designing the cover-art for almost his entire discography. Perhaps it’s this kind of multi-media tendency that gives Arthur’s songwriting such complexity, and gives Arthur himself a unique range of sound and style. His latest, The Ballad of Boogie Christ, is out now via Lonely Astronaut Records. The singer/songwriter will be stopping in Philly tonight for a show at World Cafe Live. Check out the video for his song “Saint of Impossible Causes” from The Ballad of Boogie Christ, below. Find tickets and information here.

AVA House, immortalized in a Menzingers song, and stomping grounds for the Guild Shows crew

This month marks the one-year anniversary of PhilaMOCA‘s Tuesday Tune-Out film-and-music showcase, and taking the curator’s reins are current heavy hitters in Philly’s DIY promotions scene. Guild Shows have developed quite the roster of ass-kicking concerts in spaces as far-flung as West Philly’s Golden Tea House (site of March’s Waxahatchee album release party), The Barbary (the Frankford Avenue punk refuge) and The Fire (when they host all-ages shows). Their musical tastes are as broad as their locations, though definitely rooted to some degree in in DIY punk rock. We asked Guild’s Nick Vanelli to weigh in on this month’s Tune-Out via our regular Guest VJ spotlight. All shows happen at 8 p.m., are $5 at the door and are all ages.

From Nick:
We strived to create a series that was full of unique shows- bands or concepts you’ll rarely see- that also provided a true taste of what The Guild does. All four shows feature musicians who regularly play on our shows performing in non-traditional formats, and we are really excited for all of our super talented friends to shine in new ways. Continue reading →

Tonight, West Chester’s NONA is playing at Kung Fu Necktie. This three-piece fleshes out their grunge-inspired sound with endless riffs and eccentric melodies. Their debut album, Through The Head, is available as a name your own price download here. Pre-orders for the actual record are available here. Tickets for the show are available at the door. Below, listen to “Dead to You” from Through The Head.

Coming out of the suburbs of Philadelphia, NONA are a pop / punk trio formed by former Spraynard drummer Pat Ware, guitarist / vocalist Mimi Gallagher and bassist / vocalist Michael Haller. The local band has drawn comparisons to The Replacements (for their honest and personal lyrics) and the Smashing Pumpkins (for their larger-than-life riffs) and turned in a killer opening set at Plow United’s reunion / release show earlier this year. With stories anchored in the experiences of suburban life, NONA is like that little voice inside your head that sticks with you through all the changes, disappointment and confusion.

With their debut Through the Head being released in June via Mandible Records, NONA announced they will put the full LP up on their Bandcamp tomorrowas a name-your-own-price download. You’ll be able to get it here, but in the meantime, get a taste with our exclusive stream / download of “Walking” from the album below. NONA will be opening for Tigers Jaw at the First Unitarian Church on June 21st; tickets and information can be found here.

Cult favorites of the Delaware Valley punk scene Plow United headlined The Barbary on Saturday evening. It was a packed, slamdancey, screamalongy sweaty show in celebration of their brand new LP, Marching Band. The all-around bill was solid, with fellow Philadelhpians The Holy Mess, NONA and Ma Jolie on the bill. JUMP Philly’s Joseph Gallagher was in attendance, along with photogrpaher Jessica Flynn. Check out their report after the jump. Continue reading →

About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH

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Joseph Arthur is a musician unlike most. In addition to his songwriting, Arthur is also a well-established visual artist, designing the cover-art for almost his entire discography. Perhaps it’s this kind of multi-media tendency that gives Arthur’s songwriting such complexity, … Continued

This month marks the one-year anniversary of PhilaMOCA‘s Tuesday Tune-Out film-and-music showcase, and taking the curator’s reins are current heavy hitters in Philly’s DIY promotions scene. Guild Shows have developed quite the roster of ass-kicking concerts in spaces as far-flung … Continued

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About The Key

Philadelphia: Home to a rich musical history, a unique musical identity, and one of the nation's most thriving musical communities. In a scene filled with so many local bands worth listening to, there will always be new music to discover—and The Key is your source for finding it. Brought to you by WXPN—the non-commercial public radio station that World Cafe, XPN2, and XPoNential Music Festival call home—The Key covers all local music in Greater Philly and beyond.GET IN TOUCH